DE102008045903B4 - Motor vehicle with mechanism for moving a flap - Google Patents

Abstract

Motor vehicle (10) having a flap (12) which can be moved from a closed position against gravity into an open position, wherein an auxiliary body (24) is provided, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (28), wherein on the auxiliary body (24) in a pivot point (26) a coupling rod (22) is articulated, which is coupled to the flap (12), characterized by means (32) for assisting the placement of the flap (12) in the open position, through which the auxiliary body (24) At one of a first connecting line (36) extending from a point on the axis of rotation (28) perpendicular to the pivot point (26), spaced engagement point (30) is acted upon or acted upon.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a motor vehicle is in the US 2005/0275237 A1 described.

The motor vehicle thus has a flap which can be moved from a closed position against gravity into an open position. Such a flap can be designed as a tailgate or trunk lid. In this case, the flap can be articulated via a hinge to a body of the motor vehicle. As a result, an axis of rotation is defined about which the flap is pivotable. The axis of rotation typically runs parallel to the vehicle transverse axis, ie horizontally when the vehicle is at ground level. However, the invention is also applicable when the flap is pivotable about an axis which is tilted up to 35%, but preferably at most up to 15% relative to the horizontal position. The invention is also applicable when the flap is not hinged to a hinge.

To a generic motor vehicle usually also includes a motor drive, so a (electric) motor, which may be supplemented by a clutch and a transmission. The engine should be coupled with the flap via a mechanism to move it.

In the field of research one has intensively dealt with the design of such a mechanism.

In conventional designs, the drive acts on the elements of a hinge. Such a construction is for example in the EP 1 672 160 A2 described. The drive must necessarily be arranged in the vicinity of the hinge elements. There is therefore no free choice for the place of the drive. The drive has to apply a big moment because of the short lever, so that it requires a correspondingly large engine. Therefore, a lot of space for the drive is needed.

From the US 2002/0032986 A1 It is known to let act a drive for opening a tailgate at a spaced from the pivot axis of the tailgate position on this. The drive here rotates a gear that moves a pivotable rack, which engages a firmly connected to the tailgate arm. The construction of the US 2002/0032986 A1 conditionally an arrangement of the drive in the roof area of the motor vehicle, where this is not always desirable for structural reasons. The drive must be made relatively large, because although the mechanism acts on a spaced from the pivot axis point, this distance is not so large that the applied torque would be greatly reduced. The drive takes in particular a not always available at a suitable location available height of 30 to 35 mm.

One from the DE 10 2006 042 403 A1 described motor drive device also acts on a tailgate of a motor vehicle at a location spaced from the pivot axis point. The drive causes the rotation of a spindle on which a spindle nut moves, and the spindle nut is coupled to the tailgate via a sliding cage. The mechanism from the DE 10 2006 042 403 A1 requires a linear movement of the cage relative to the spindle. This linear movement can only be relatively small, so that the point of action of the mechanism on the tailgate is still relatively close to the hinge.

Another construction represents the DE 10 2005 031 990 A1 before: Following the provision of gas springs, which support the operation of opening the flap (but not closing it), the DE 10 2005 031 990 A1 prior to coupling a piston rod moved by a gas spring with a push / pull rod moved by a drive via a connecting piece. In the drive, a threaded spindle can be used. As a result of this embodiment, as few unsafe seals as possible are required. On the other hand, this is due to a loss of flexibility in the arrangement of the gas springs or the drive mechanism. The mechanism should assist just at the beginning of the opening process, the gas spring, when the opening process is initiated. Due to the parallel arrangement of gas spring and guided in a shell push / pull rod disadvantages in the utilization of the forces provided. Since the forces can not be used optimally, the motor of the drive may need to be designed to be too large. Furthermore, the drive device requires due to the parallel arrangement of gas spring and in the shell guided push / pull rod extra space.

In the EP 1 026 070 B1 It is described that the opening of a tailgate of a motor vehicle is supported by an ejector and a gas spring. The ejector drives out a piston rod. The piston rod opens the tailgate slightly further into a position in which the gas spring exerts an opening moment on the tailgate. The ejector may be located at a very different location than the gas spring and is in the in the EP 1026070 B1 described embodiment also far away from the axis of rotation of the tailgate. Naturally, the ejector does not support the closing process. In such an operator must the Compress gas spring and spend relatively large forces.

The EP 1 276 624 B1 describes a mechanism by which a tailgate is opened and closed in which a coupling rod far away from the axis of rotation of the tailgate attacks. The coupling rod is mounted at its end different from the tailgate side on a carriage. The sledge slides over rails vertically. Force for lifting the carriage with the coupling rod and the tailgate hinged thereto is transmitted via a chain to the carriage, wherein in the bottom region of the interior of the motor vehicle, a drive is arranged, which moves the chain. The whole mechanism takes up a lot of space. Since the coupling rod is pushed up mainly in a vertical position, also the motor must be relatively large in order to apply high forces or moments can.

The US 64 53 614 B1 describes a mechanism by means of which a tailgate of a motor vehicle can be moved, of which essential parts are arranged in a column associated with the bodywork of the motor vehicle. In a channel of such a column, which may have curved sections, a plurality of rack members are arranged in succession coupled together. On one of the rack members, a pin is fixed, which protrudes from the column. On the pin turn a coupling rod is attached, which is coupled to the tailgate. Through a further opening in the pillar, a pinion, which is rotated by a motor, engages the rack members and moves them in the channel. This moves the coupling rod with, and the tailgate is opened. The fact that the rack members are moved in a substantially vertically extending channel, the coupling rod must also be vertically upwards and can only slightly tilt. The forces acting on the coupling rod forces are therefore not optimally utilized to provide a large moment on the tailgate, because the angle of attack is chosen unfavorable. Therefore, the engine has to apply large forces, so be designed to be strong and thus large and a lot of space engaging. The mechanism from the US 64 53 614 B1 Therefore, it can not be used especially for the movement of particularly heavy tailgates.

In the generic US 2005/0275237 A1 discloses a mechanism for opening a tailgate, wherein a coupling rod engages the tailgate, the coupling rod but is not directly connected to the other side with the drive, but is articulated on a pivot arm, wherein the pivot arm is driven by the drive. In the closed position, the coupling rod is folded to the pivot arm, when moving into the open position, it folds away from this, at the same time the pivot arm is pivoted from the drive. In this mechanism, the drive must be designed relatively expensive. The drive must also be able to generate relatively high forces, because by the transmission of force in unfavorable angles, an increased effort is required. For these two reasons, the drive must take up a relatively large amount of space.

In order for vehicle designers to have greater freedom in designing a motor vehicle, it would be desirable to have such a door by the mechanism acted on by a flap (tailgate, decklid) (eg, by an engine) to provide, which has a particularly large pivotable length, z. B. up to 1.30 m and 1.40 m. The above-mentioned and also other mechanisms of the prior art are not suitable for realizing the moments of up to 300 Nm necessary for manual or motorized opening or closing with such a large and therefore also (for example 40 kg) heavy flap The mechanisms either fail at moments above a predetermined limit, or the motors would have to be overly powerful and therefore take up extra space. In addition, it would be desirable if the motors and mechanisms were provided at those locations where they are particularly inconvenient, e.g. B. in a revealable by a tailgate or a trunk lid trunk can be located where they do not obstruct the introduction of objects in the trunk or only slightly.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism by which a particularly heavy flap of a motor vehicle can be moved.

The object is achieved by a motor vehicle having the features according to claim 1.

Thus, according to the invention, there are means for assisting the placement of the flap in the open position. These act on the auxiliary body at a non-lying in the connecting line between the axis of rotation and articulation point with force, either constantly or during operation. This (first) connecting line is defined as a connecting line which impinges on the pivot point perpendicular to a corresponding point on the axis of rotation.

When automatic opening and closing is desired, a motor will engage the rotation axis to rotate the auxiliary body. A drive usefully supports the opening operation in addition to the means for assisting when a lot of force has to be applied to open the flap.

By providing means for assisting the opening operation, however, this motor can basically also be dispensed with or made smaller, in any case it does not have to be excessively powerful. The definition of the placement of the point of attack requires that the auxiliary body not just as a straight rod or simple swing arm as in the generic US 2005/0275237 A1 is formed, so that can be optimized by appropriate choice of the point of attack, the leverage effects in terms of specific purposes. Such a purpose can z. B. are to let act as even as possible opening moment on the flap. The opening moment results from the person manually opening the motor or the tailgate and the means for assisting the torque minus the torque acting on the weight of the tailgate. Because the point of attack is beyond the first connecting line, z. B. be provided that the means for supporting apply a particularly large moment at the beginning of the opening process, and that then the opening operation is terminated by means of the motor, when the flap has already gained some momentum. Also, when the flap has stopped in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, the tailgate can then be opened or closed again more easily when the torque applied jointly by the engine and the means for assisting is defined as (eg Opening angle with respect to a rotational axis of the flap) more or less each defined by the weight of the flap defined torque overcomes, z. B. by a predetermined differential torque.

So that the leverage effects of the means for assisting on the auxiliary body on the one hand and possibly selected by the engine on the auxiliary body on the other hand, and in particular possibly sufficiently different, the point of application is preferably at least 5 cm and more preferably at least 10 cm from the first connecting line.

The point of application is not defined solely by the distance to the connecting line, but also by the length of a second connecting line extending from the end point of the first connecting line on the axis of rotation to the point of application of the means for supporting the body, the length of a point of contact to the coupling rod on Auxiliary body extending third connecting line and the ratio of these two lengths set. The exact appearance of a resulting triangle may be the subject of an optimization problem. Typical solutions to such an optimization problem include that the triangle formed by the three connecting lines does not have an internal angle which is smaller than 30 °, so the triangle is not an acute-angled triangle. Optimization problems have also shown that the angle included by the first connecting line and the second connecting line should have a certain minimum size in order for the leverage effects to be optimal. This angle is therefore preferably greater than 45 °, particularly preferably greater than 60 °. This angle is in particular greater than the angle enclosed by the first connecting line and the third connecting line, a vertical line on the first connecting line which passes through the point of attack therefore stands closer to the axis of rotation of the auxiliary body on the connecting line than at the point of articulation.

As a means for supporting a simple spring may be provided. When opening flaps this gas springs have proven to be inexpensive and because of their function as a damping element also advantageous. A gas spring can be extended to a strut, then there is a mechanical spring in a shell through which the gas spring is formed. The gas spring dampens the movement up to the open position, which imprints the mechanical spring. At the same time, the greater proportion of force comes from the hardly temperature-sensitive mechanical spring.

However, instead of a spring, the means for assisting may also include a motor drive. Then can be dispensed with the attacking on the axis of rotation engine especially even with heavy opening flaps. While the motor other than the means for assisting generates a rotational movement, the motor drive of the means for assisting can cause a linear movement of an element, e.g. B. a push rod. The means for supporting can in particular comprise a spindle drive, the motor drive thus comprise a spindle and a spindle nut. In a spindle drive, either the spindle nut, which has an internal thread, is held and rotated so that the spindle provided with an external thread moves linearly, or vice versa, the spindle is held and rotated so that the spindle nut resting on it moves on. In the design of the spindle drive can be made of prior art techniques. If the motor drive causes a linear movement of an element, the motor drive should be pivotally mounted, and the associated with the means for supporting element which acts on the point of attack, there should also be rotatably mounted. In a linear motion is in itself a uniform force effect caused by the tilting of the auxiliary body, the effective for the moment lever length changes. By suitable placement of the motor drive with the linearly moving element, the torques acting on the flap can be optimally adjusted depending on the degree of opening of the flap.

In order to implement the computationally determined lever effects structurally particularly easily, the auxiliary body can be designed with a flat surface (which can have recesses). The motor, the coupling rod and the means for supporting can then and in each case preferably and in addition to the auxiliary body in the region of its flat surface engage and attack from the side to which this surface, the auxiliary body. This is possible in particular when pins protrude from the flat surface on which the coupling rod or the means for supporting are articulated, or which are coupled to a shaft rotated by the motor.

The entire mechanism can be made small if it is provided on both sides of the motor vehicle respectively. The individual motors or drives can then be accommodated particularly well.

The invention also makes it possible to use such a flap (in particular as a tailgate) which is perpendicular to the vehicle transverse axis (typically perpendicular to the pivot axis) a length of at least 1.15 m, preferably of at least 1.20 m, more preferably of at least 1 , 25 m and most preferably of at least 1.30 m. This opens up new possibilities for the vehicle designers: they can provide a different appearance of the motor vehicle for aesthetic or aerodynamic reasons.

The mechanism according to the invention makes it possible, when the flap is pivotable about an axis defined (eg by a hinge), to engage at such a position on the flap which is spaced from the interval of 120 to 400 mm, preferably from Interval of 150 to 250 mm and more preferably spaced from the interval of 180 to 220 mm from the axis. In such a far away from the pivot axis attack point not excessive forces must be applied so that sufficient for opening the flap torque is generated. The mechanism allows the passage of the necessary Verschwenkweges.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing, wherein

1 shows the rear area of a motor vehicle according to the invention from the left side in view of components provided according to the invention,

2 a perspective view in the interior of a motor vehicle according to the invention in showing the essential components of the invention enlarged on the left rear side shows and

3 one of the 2 corresponding view of the substantially entire rear of the motor vehicle, as seen from the right behind the motor vehicle.

In a whole with 10 designated motor vehicle is a tailgate 12 can be used, in their dimension perpendicular to a pivot axis 14 has a length of at least 1.30 m. Such a tailgate 12 is particularly heavy, and it requires the assistance of a motorized drive to the tailgate 12 to open. The invention relates to the case provided mechanism, which schematically in 1 is illustrated:
While the tailgate 12 via a hinge element 16 is coupled and via this hinge element 16 around the axis of rotation 14 is rotatable, in which a hinge pin of a hinge is arranged, in a warehouse 18 on the body of the motor vehicle 10 is maintained, to provide a sufficient moment of opening the tailgate at one point 20 that is at least 200 mm from the axis of rotation 14 is spaced, force on the tailgate 12 exercised and therefore a the opening of the tailgate 12 causing moment, related to the axis of rotation 14 , exercised.

At the point 20 is a tie rod 22 hinged. This coupling rod is not directly connected to a drive, but to an auxiliary body 24 at a point of articulation 26 articulated, wherein the auxiliary body 24 in this case has the contour of a triangle with rounded corners. At a second corner of the auxiliary body 24 is this one with a 1 not shown engine coupled to the auxiliary body 24 a rotational movement about a rotation axis 28 imposes, what directly a rotating element with the auxiliary body 24 is coupled. In the area of a third corner of the auxiliary body 24 is at a point of attack 30 a gas spring 32 hinged, with their opposite end at one point 34 is hinged to the body of the motor vehicle.

An opening of the tailgate 12 takes place under the action of one of the gas spring 32 applied force or over a through the distance from the axis of rotation 28 of the auxiliary body 24 to the point of attack 30 resulting moment acting on the one hand and one of the motor around the axis of rotation 28 applied moment on the auxiliary body 24 on the other hand.

In the closed position of the tailgate 12 are the coupling rod 22 , the auxiliary body 24 and the gas spring 32 in the position shown by solid lines. In a position where the tailgate 12 is open at maximum, these elements are in the position shown by dashed lines. For reasons of simplification of the illustration, the tailgate is in the open position in 1 Not shown. It is understood, however, that by rotation of the auxiliary body 24 passing through the gas spring 32 and the engine is effected, the tailgate as the point 20 moved upwards. The tailgate passes through an angle of 57 °. By contrast, the articulation point passes through 26 an angle of 96.6 °. Because of the larger angle passed through the way is correspondingly large, and the engine has to apply less force than on the tailgate 12 acts. The attack point 30 on which the gas spring 32 on the auxiliary body 24 is about the distance d of about 10 cm from the connecting line 36 between the axis of rotation 28 and the point of articulation 26 spaced. The attack point 30 is closer to the axis of rotation 28 as at the point of articulation 26 so that the angle α between the connecting line 36 and a connecting line 38 from the axis of rotation 28 to the point of attack 30 is relatively large, in the present case is slightly smaller than 90 °, it is about 75 °. The angle α is present as well as the other two internal angles of the through the axis of rotation 28 , the point of articulation 26 and the point of attack 30 formed triangle be chosen so that the leverage effects are optimal, that is, the gas spring 32 in an optimal way opening the tailgate 12 supported. Ideally, this is exactly the gas spring 32 provided a relatively high moment when the engine 28 just does not provide a high moment and vice versa, because then acts on the tailgate 12 essentially always the same moment. That on the tailgate 12 However, acting moment can also depending on the degree of opening, in this case the pivot angle of the tailgate about the axis of rotation 14 , vary. So that the tailgate 12 Do not jump up too fast, that's from the gas spring 32 applied moment at small opening angles not overly large. The course of the tailgate 12 acting moments can except by a suitable choice of points 26 and 30 relative to the axis of rotation 28 also by suitable choice of the thrust bearing of the gas spring 32 , ie in particular by a suitable choice of the point 34 with appropriate length design of the gas spring 32 , be determined.

The 2 and 3 show in addition to the schema representation 1 a concrete embodiment of the mechanism provided in the motor vehicle according to the invention. In the 2 and 3 the tailgate is omitted, and there is thus a look into the vehicle interior 40 , wherein an interior trim and an interior are omitted in the illustration. The components of the mechanism provided in the invention are in the 2 and 3 denoted by the same reference numbers as in 1 , You can also see a rotation around the axis of rotation 28 effecting drive 42 , The drive 42 is a motor drive, so includes an engine, a clutch and a transmission. The auxiliary body 24 has a substantially planar surface, which in the 2 and 3 points to the viewer. From the surface stands a joint 44 out, on which the gas spring 32 is articulated. There is a joint 46 out, where the coupling rod 22 is articulated. On the same surface or on the opposite side of the auxiliary body 24 is the drive 42 coupled. By the shape of the auxiliary body 24 and the predetermined choice of points 26 and 30 and the axis of rotation 28 the mechanism results. The auxiliary body 24 is set in its form to provide optimum leverage. The moment of inertia of the auxiliary body 24 related to the axis of rotation 28 can be suitably chosen.

The drive 42 is present above a wheel house 48 of the motor vehicle 10 arranged, where he bothers particularly little: Through the wheel arch, the body extends in this area a little more into the interior 40 as beyond the wheelhouse. Above the wheelhouse 48 there is a place available. The drive 42 can in particular also below a water drain 50 be located, and in the area below this water drain 50 is not intended anyway, objects in the vehicle interior 40 contribute. Also the gas spring 32 is at least partially below the water drainage 50 guided. The coupling rod 22 is routed relatively close to the water drain (eg a distance of at most 15 cm at the nearest point from the water drain 50 limiting seal 52 spaced).

The coupling rod 22 is by a protective element 54 covered.

The gas spring 32 is supported in the rear very far back and therefore has a large travel. In particular, the point is 34 at a distance of not more than 15 cm from a tail edge 56 of the motor vehicle measured in the vehicle longitudinal direction x and lies on at most 15 cm in the direction of the vehicle vertical axis z below the rear edge 56 ,

The invention is present in a tailgate 12 used, which has a Verschwenklänge of 1.30 m. By the mechanism tailgates are particularly long swivel. The mechanism is also used when the tailgate is shorter and can be used advantageously always when the force effects are to be optimized with reasonable effort.

Claims (16)

Motor vehicle ( 10 ) with a flap ( 12 ), which can be moved from a closed position against gravity into an open position, wherein an auxiliary body ( 24 ) provided around a rotation axis ( 28 ) is rotatable, wherein on the auxiliary body ( 24 ) in a pivot point ( 26 ) a coupling rod ( 22 ) hinged with the flap ( 12 ), characterized by means ( 32 ) for assisting the movement of the flap ( 12 ) in the open position through which the auxiliary body ( 24 ) at one of a first connection line ( 36 ) from a point on the axis of rotation ( 28 ) perpendicular to the pivot point ( 26 ), spaced point ( 30 ) is acted upon or acted upon by force. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized by one with the auxiliary body ( 24 ) coupled engine ( 42 ), which engages to rotate the auxiliary body on the axis of rotation. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the point of application ( 30 ) by at least 5 cm and preferably at least 10 cm from the first connecting line ( 36 ) is spaced. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first connecting line ( 36 ) one from the point on the axis of rotation ( 28 ) to the point of attack ( 30 ) extending second connecting line ( 38 ) and one from the point of attack ( 30 ) to the articulation point ( 26 ) extending third connecting line form a triangle, of which each internal angle is greater than 30 °. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first connecting line ( 36 ) and a second, from the point on the axis of rotation ( 28 ) to the point of attack ( 30 ) extending second connecting line ( 38 ) include an angle (α) greater than 45 ° and preferably greater than 60 °. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for supporting a gas spring ( 32 ). Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for supporting a strut comprise. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for supporting a motor drive. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the motor drive is designed to effect a linear movement of an element. Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the motor drive comprises a spindle and a spindle nut. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary body ( 24 ) has a flat surface and the engine ( 42 ), the coupling rod ( 22 ) and / or the funds ( 32 ) for supporting from the side to which the flat surface points, on the auxiliary body ( 24 attack). Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, in which the flap ( 12 ) perpendicular to a vehicle transverse axis defined to the vehicle has a length of at least 1.15 m, preferably of at least 1.20 m, more preferably of at least 1.25 m and most preferably of at least 1.30 m. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flap around a defined axis ( 14 ) is pivotable and the coupling rod ( 28 ) in one place ( 20 ) acts on the flap, which is spaced from the interval of 120 to 400 mm, preferably from the interval of 150 to 250 mm and particularly preferably from the interval of 180 to 220 mm from the axis ( 14 ) is spaced. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap has a tailgate ( 12 ). Motor vehicle ( 10 ) according to claim 14 in the back reference to claim 5, characterized in that the motor vehicle is a wheel arch ( 48 ) and the engine ( 42 ) above the wheelhouse ( 48 ) is housed. Motor vehicle according to claim 14 or 15 in the back reference to claim 5, characterized in that the motor vehicle a water drain ( 50 ) and the engine ( 42 ) below the water outlet ( 50 ) is arranged.

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